Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre, International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia and upset conscious Woman FIDE Master Janelle Mae Frayna hurdled their respective assignment to maintain the lead in the open division after the fourth round of the 2014 National Chess Championships/Battle of the Grandmasters held Sunday at the Athletes’ Dining Hall, PSC Canteen, RMSC, Manila.

GM Torre prevailed over fellow GM Richard Bitoon in 56 moves of a Schmid Benoni, IM Garcia on the other hand beat fellow IM Joel Pimentel in 59 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined. But the day belongs to WFM Frayna who added to her list of victims veteran Grandmaster Joey Antonio who employed the Owen’s/Queen’s Fianchetto Defense but was demolished 47 moves later. GM Torre, IM Garcia and WFM Frayna scored 9 points in 4 games of play.

The other matches ended in draws, in an English Opening with …Nf6, Grandmaster Darwin Laylo settled for a draw with fellow Grandmaster Rogelio Barcenilla, GM John Paul Gomez also draw his game with International Master Oliver Dimakiling in 32 moves of a QGD 4. Bg5 Be7 with early deviations and FIDE Master Paulo Bersamina draw with National Master Roel Abelgas in 60 moves also in a Queen’s Gambit Declined Cambridge Springs Variation.

ROUND 4 (WOMEN)
June 23, 2014

Woman National Master Christy Lamiel Bernales continue to show the way this time beating Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza in 62 moves of a French Defense Classical System with 4.e5. She registers 10.5 points in four rounds of play. Trailing her with 9 points is Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia of DLSU who drew her game with Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez in 76 moves of a Larsen’s Opening. Their exchange of Queen’s on the 19th move predicted the outcome of their game. WNM Enriquez is in third with 7.5 points. The same score of Woman International Master Catherine Pereña who was held to a draw by Arvie Lozano in 87 moves of a Queen’s Fianchetto/Owen’s Defense.

WNM Jedara Docena defeated Queenie Lyn Reyes in 35 moves of a Semi Benoni. She gained a pawn on her 13th move and another one on the 20th to overpower Reyes. The match between Aurora Kim Dantes and Gladys Hazelle Romero in a Modern Defense ended in a draw after 44 moves.